Bidwells takes pro-active approach to Norwich student accommodation
Leading national property consultants Bidwells has achieved planning permission for the first major student accommodation development in Norwich City Centre.
The development, which is taking shape on part of the old bus station site, will include 228 bedrooms and has been largely achieved due to pro-active work by Bidwells, as Planning Partner Paul Clarke explains.
“Norwich has always been chronically short of student accommodation. Many students are only allowed to live in student residences for one year and this puts huge pressure on the city's private rented sector.
“Bidwells undertook a survey which proved the need for extra student accommodation and we then identified a site and client (student accommodation specialists Alumno Developments) to turn the idea into a reality.
“The former bus station site at All Saints Green proved the perfect location, being close to both UEA and Norwich University of the Arts. It did, however, have a number of issues.
“Chief amongst them was persuading English Heritage that we could restore a building that was both Grade II listed and on the ‘at risk’ register, and that the change of use we were proposing was appropriate.
“Other issues included securing the site, designing appropriate accommodation and developing the economic case for the proposal.
“Timing was also critical. The site has to be ready to receive students for the start of the autumn term in 2015. This gives us a build time of around 12-18 months and has meant early and intense discussions with the City Council and other stakeholders to ensure we were granted planning permission.
“In addition to the bedrooms, the site will include a pocket park. We also hope to include an exhibition space, which will be a fine addition to Norwich's cultural life.
“The accommodation will be car free but will include a cycle hire scheme.
“It is a mystery why Norwich has never had this type of student accommodation before and this is the start of a process to reverse the situation. Bidwells was very much the instigator of the idea and I'm delighted that the scheme is going ahead.”